Goggle



rented Dec. 1s, 1945 GOGGLE Walter J. Stevenson, Riverside, R. I., assignor to Watchemoket Optical Co., Inc., Providence, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island 2 Claims.

This invention relates to goggles for protecting the eyes of Workers in industrial plants, for cxample, machinists, foundrymen, chippers, welders, stone-cutters and other artisans exposed to flying sparks, metal chips or particles thrown from grinding and .polishing wheels.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide a goggle having a rigid frame with the lenses adapted to be conveniently applied thereto and removed therefrom without springing or spreading the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a goggle of the type indicated comprising a rigid box-like frame having top and bottom members formed with longitudinal grooves or guideways for receiving the lenses andmeans for closing the sides of the frame to retain'the lenses in place.

Another object of the invention is to provide into open position at thevsides'of the frame to' permit the lenses-to be slidthereinto and swung to closed position on the frame to retain the lenses in place.

Another object of the invention is to provide' in a goggle of the type indicated detent-means for releasably locking the side panels -of the frame in closed position to fixedly retain the lenses in place.

Another object of the invention is to' providea goggle ofthe type indicated which is of simple, durable construction with its parts adapted vto be easily and conveniently assembled with a minimum of operations.

Further objects of the improvement -areset forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the'invention, by Way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a.- perspective view of a goggle embodying the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is av plan view of the goggle frame;

Fig. 3 is a lan view of the frame shown partp 45 vide a smooth surface for contact with the nose of sectional in a median horizontal plane and indicating the manner in which the lenses, are inserted in or removed from the frame;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view oi' a portion of thev frametaken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2 and showing the pivotal connections between vthe parts thereof; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and showing the detent-means for releasably latching the pivoted side panels of the frame in closed relationship.

' 5 replaceable lenses.

Application September 11, v1943, Serial No. 501,975

Referring to the drawing, the present goggleframe 2 comprises four sections constructed from suitable plastic material, preferably transparent cellulose acetate, 'and arranged to mount a pair of The lenses may be of glass, but preferably they are constructed from methyl methacrylate or the material known in the trade as Plexiglas which is substantially'non-fogging, non-distorting, resistant to scratching and not liable to shatter and splinter under the impact l5 without interference therewith.' 'I'he frame 2 comprises a top member 3.and a bottom member 4 which are joined together at their ends by side panels 5. The top and bottom members 3 and 4 are adapted to support two separate lenses 2O 6, 6 which' are arranged for sliding movement therebetween in a manner explained hereinafter.

The top member 3 isv of substantially bowshape having its rearward edge curved to con-v form to the conto-ur of the forehead of the wearer and its forward edge extending at opposite angles and meeting at the center, see Fig. 2.. Preferably, the rearward edge of the top member 3 is enclosed by a narrow channeled strip III of plastic bent therearound and cemented thereto 0 to provide a. smooth rounded surface 'for contact with the forehead of the wearer. At the forward edge of the .top member 3 the materal is bent upwardly and then curved downwardly in a narrow ange. I I forming a semi-circular groove or guide-L way I2 4for receiving the upper edges of the lenses 6, v v

The bottom member 4 is of substantially the same bowed'shape as that of the top member ex- 40 cept that its edges are interrupted at the center -by an arched strip I5 .forming a bridge or nosepiece connecting the two lateral wings 16. The arched strip or bridge I5 has its forward edge folded or bent around 'in circular contour to prothe wearer. At either side of the nose-piece I5 the wings I6 of the bottom member l are formed with flanges I1 bent downwardly and then curved up 'wardly to provide'grooves or guideways I8 for receiving the lower edges of the'two lenses 6, 6; it

strips 20. similar to the strip I0, to provide a smooth rounded surface for contact with the cheeks of the wearer.

The end or side panels of the frame 2 consist of flat rectangular strips of the material having extensions or iianges 2| at the top and bottom bent inwardly at right-angles thereto to underlie the end of the top member `3 and overlie the end of the bottom member 4. At the forward ends of the side panels 5 angular flanges 24 are bent around from the material to adapt them to engage across the outer edges and overlie the front faces of the lenses 6, 6 to retain the latter in piace in the guideways I2 and I8 of the Atop and bottom members 3 and 4. The side panels 5 are also provided with narrow slits punched therethrough adjacent their rearward edges and adapted to receive the ends of an elastic band or strap S for encircling the head to hold the goggle against the face of the wearer. The elastic band S may have metal clips 26, see Fig. 4, clinched around its .terminal portions to prevent the ends from being withdrawn through the slits 25.

The lenses 6 are of substantially rectangular outline except for cut-away portions at their inner, lower corners which form curved edges conforming to the arcuate shape of the nose-piece I5 y on the frame 2. The upper and lower edges and provide a goggle of improved construction having. I

a strong and sturdy frame while at the same time enabling the lenses to be inserted into or removed therefrom without springing or spreading its parts. In the present improved goggle the lenses 6 are adapted to be inserted through the open ends of the frame or removed therefrom with their upper and lower edges sliding in the guideways |2 and I8 of the top and bottom members 3 A and 4. As previously explained, the side panels 5 operate to close the ends of the frame 2 and are adapted to be swung into open position for receiving 'the lenses 6, 6 in the guideways I2 and I8. In accordance with the present invention the side panels 5 are 'pivotally mounted on the top and bottom members 3 and 4 by means of hingepins in'the form of hollow rivets 30. The rivets pass through alined holes inthe ends of the top and bottom members 3 and 4 and the ilanges 2| on the panels 5 with their. opposite ends headed over in the manner of an eyelet to hold the parts in assembled relationship, see Fig. 4. As shown in this latter view, a resilient washer 32 may be interposed between the inner head of each rivet 30 and the inner face of each flange 2I for applying an axial thrust which tends to frictionally engage the flanges against the inner faces of the top and bottom members 3 and 4. By this form of construction the four sections of the frame 2 are,

securely held in assembled relationship while permitting the side panels 5 to'swing `open with respect to the top and .bottom ,members 3 and 4 to permit the insertion or dismounting of the lenses 6, 6.

The side panels 5 may be releasably locked in closed position with their angular flanges 24 overlying the outer ends of the lenses 6. 6 by means of suitable detents or latches. Figs. 2 and 5 illustrate the datent-means as comprising lugs or fingers formed by slitting the material and bending the ngers downwardly from the top member 3 to adapt their ends to engage against the inner edges of the upper iianges 2| of the side panels 5. While the presentdrawing illustrates the datent-means as embodied in a preferred form of construction such means may` take other forms within the scope and purview of the present invention.

i 6, 6. The strut or stay 36 preferably has narrow flexible extensions or tabs 3l at its opposite ends which are inserted through a slit in the flange I I on the top member 3 and a slit in the nosepiece I5 of the bottom member 4 and bent around in loops as shown in Fig. 1. The ends of the looped tabs 3l may be soldered or otherwise secured to the main portion of the strut 36 to provide a permanent, rigid joinder of the parts. By this form of construction the top and bottom members 3 and 4 are prevented from arching or spreading apart due to heat, loss of resilience or other causes and the lenses 6, 6 thus are more securely held in place. The strut or stay 36 may, if preferred, be constructed from a strip of plastic material and cemented or otherwise permanently joined to the top and bottom members 3 and 4.

With the parts of the goggle frame 2 assembled in the manner explained above the lenses 6, 6 may be inserted thereinto by first springing the edges of the flanges 2| of the end panels 5 across the ends of the detent lugs 35 and swinging the panels on their pivot-pins 36 to the position shown in Fig. 3. The angular flanges 24 thus will be withdrawn from across the edges of the lenses vIS to open the sides of the frame and permit the lenses to be slid into place in the frame 2. The outer ends of the channeled strips I0 and 20 on the top and bottom members 3 and 4 are adapted to serve as stops against which the inner edges of the flanges 2| of the side panels 5 engage to limit the swinging movement of the panels to open position. After the sides of the frame 2 have been opened in the manner explained above the lenses 6, 6 may be inserted thereinto by entering their upper and lower beveled edgesin the guideways I2 and I8 of thetop and bottom members 3 and 4, respectively, and sliding them into the frame. In Fig. 3 one lens 6 is represented as having been slid into placel while the complementary lens is shown in positionv for sliding it in the guide'ways of the frame 2. When the lenses 6, 6 have been slid into place their inner edges will abut in a seam at the center of the frame 2 at the rear of the strut or stay 36 as shown in Figs. l and 2. With the lenses 6, 6 assembled in the frame 2 the side panels 5 are swung back into closed position with their flanges 24 engaging across the outer edges of the lenses. During this latter movement of the Y panels 5 their upper anges 2| will ride over the When it is desired to remove the lenses 6 for any reason the side panels 5 may be swung to their open position shown in Fig. 3, after which theA lenses may be withdrawn with their beveled edges sliding in the guideways I2 and I8. It will be observed from the foregoing speciilcation that the present invention provides a light-weight, completely transparent goggle adapted to afford maximum protection to the veyes of the wearer and wide range of vision. The

improved goggle is of stronger and more rigid construction than goggles of similar types with its lenses more securely held in the frame while being readily removable therefrom.' As a further feature of improvement, the present invention provides means for more conveniently in-l y serting the lenses into the frame and dismounting them therefrom.

While the improvedgoggle is hereinV shown and described as embodying a preferred form of construction, it is 'to Ibe understood that modications may be made in the structure and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a goggle of the type indicated, a. substantially rigid frame comprising a, longitudinallyextending top member having its rearward edge of arcuate contour to flt the face of the wearer, a bottom member of substantially the same form and having its lateral wing-portionsbconnected by an arched bridge-portion of narrow width adaptedges for holding a pair of lenses extending in' angular relation outwardly from the center of the frame, substantially rectangular side. panels having hinge-portions underlying the top and bottom members of the frame and pivotally connected thereto to rigidly connect` bottom members, said side panels constructed of transparent plastic. material and having inwardly-directed integral flanges at their forward -edges adapted to extend vertically across the edges of the lenses to retain them in the frame, and said hinges so constructed and arranged as to adapt the flanges on the side panels to be swung back to release the lenses to permit them to bewithdrawn from the frame for replacement.

2. In a goggle of lthe type indicated,. a frame constructed entirely of ltransparent plastic material and comprising a top member shaped along its rearward edge to conform to the face of the wearer, a bottom member having substantially the same shape as the top member with an arched central portion connecting its side portions and adapted to t the nose of the wearer, side panels of rectangular shape extending between the top and bottom members to maintain them rigidly in spaced relationship, said side panels having flanges at top and lbottom bent inwardly therefrom to underlie the ends of the top and bottom members, eyelets extending through the top and bottom members and the flanges on,the side panels for hingedly connecting th'e side panels to the frame, said top and bottom members having grooves at their forward edges for holding 9, pair of lenses and said side panels having flanges at ytheir forward edges for overlapping the ends of the lenses to retain them in place in the grooves ofthe top and ybottom members, and friction means for normally preventing the side panels from turning on their hinges while adapting them to be swung to release their forward flanges from the edges of the lenses to permit the latter to be withdrawn from the frame.

WALTER J. STEVENSON.

said top andf 

